By Ebi Kesiena
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has strongly condemned an attack on its peacekeepers during a patrol in southern Lebanon, describing the incident as unacceptable and a violation of international commitments.
According to a statement issued by the UN mission on Tuesday, the incident occurred in the Hallusiyat al-Tahta area, where a UNIFIL patrol was confronted by a group of individuals attempting to block its movement.
“In response, UNIFIL personnel employed non-lethal measures to ensure the safety of both the patrol members and those present,” the statement said, confirming that no injuries were reported.
The UN mission called on Lebanese authorities to act swiftly, urging them to ensure that peacekeepers are able to carry out their duties without obstruction or threats, the statement emphasised.
UNIFIL added that freedom of movement is essential to fulfilling its mandate under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. The resolution, adopted in 2006, ended the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah and authorised the deployment of peacekeepers to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in the south.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese government swiftly responded to the incident as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also denounced the confrontation, reiterating Lebanon’s full commitment to the implementation of Resolution 1701.
Tensions have remained high in southern Lebanon despite a fragile ceasefire agreement reached last November between Israel and Hezbollah. The truce followed months of cross-border clashes that escalated into a full-scale conflict in September 2024.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel was expected to withdraw from southern Lebanese territory by 26 January. However, the deadline was extended to 18 February after Israel refused to fully comply. As of now, Israeli forces continue to maintain a presence at five military outposts along the border, drawing criticism from Lebanese authorities and contributing to ongoing instability.
UNIFIL continues to operate in challenging conditions, seeking to maintain peace and prevent further hostilities. The mission has repeatedly emphasised the importance of cooperation with both local communities and Lebanese authorities to carry out its work effectively.
The UN called for renewed efforts to uphold the ceasefire and protect its personnel. “UN peacekeepers are deployed to support peace and security in southern Lebanon. Any attack on them undermines these efforts and threatens regional stability,” the mission said.
